Diversity Variation of Silica-Scaled Chrysophytes Related to Differences in Physicochemical Variables in Estuaries of Rivers in an Arctic Watershed

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Anna Bessudova, Viktor Gabyshev, Alena Firsova, Olga Gabysheva, Yurij Bukin, Yelena Likhoshway
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: Chrysophyceae; floristics; species richness; species composition; environment; biogeography; envir; geo; Arctic; Climate change; Yakutia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413768; https://doaj.org/article/8da331a4a3934fbabb72c2511aa00486

The present study examined the taxonomic diversity of silica-scaled chrysophytes in the estuaries of the Arctic watershed of Yakutia in the context of global climate change, as these aquatic organisms are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Previously, 41 species of silica-scaled chrysophytes were recorded in the waters of Yakutia. In the present study, we supplemented this list with 55 species. We observed a high species richness (82 taxa) of silica-scaled chrysophytes in the study area. Of these, eight species were recorded in the waters of Russia for the first time. At present, the study area represents the northernmost habitat for most species observed during the study. The diversity of silica-scaled chrysophytes in Arctic rivers is comparable to or even greater than the diversity of chrysophycean flora at the middle latitudes. Most of these chrysophytes are represented by polyzonal and ubiquitous species. During 2008–2010, we noted increased relative numbers of boreal species in northern waters compared with data obtained during the previous 30 years. Overall, the species richness of silica-scaled chrysophytes in the studied rivers increased with increase in water transparency, temperature, and magnesium ion concentration, but decreased with increase in surfactant concentration. The origin of samples from a certain river; distance of the sampling site from the estuary; water temperature, transparency, and colour; and concentration of carbon dioxide, magnesium ions, total iron, surfactants, and oil products affect the species composition of silica-scaled chrysophytes in the study area. Our findings are fundamental to evaluate the current status of Arctic aquatic microflora and its further monitoring in the context of anthropogenic and climatic impacts.